Teamwork!

Today we spent time with children that were weak, abandoned, physically handicapped, or needy is some way. And it struck me that we're all needy in many ways. There was this particular boy - he looked about two and a half, but was probably actually about four. I went to touch his arm, intending to pick him up, but he pushed me away. He made it clear in several ways that he wanted to be left alone - as we all do sometimes when we really just want someone to keep trying so that we'll know how invested they are in us. Over the course of about 20 minutes, several women on our team and I tried to break through the tough exterior this child had already developed at the tender age of four. He wanted nothing to do with any of us and tried to convince us he was more interested in sucking on his fingers, but would occasionally glance over to see if one of us was still trying to entice him into interacting. Each of us tried a different strategy, but without sucess. Then along came my husband, wearing his floppy hat, and within seconds, there was interest from our new friend. The toddler played with the hat, then had a ball putting the hat on my husband's head - upside down, then peek-a-boo, then throwing a teething ring into the hat. Before too long there were high fives all around - even for those of us who had originally been pushed away. It took just the right approach to break through and make a difference - it took teamwork. And isn't that exactly what we are all called to in being the body of Christ? We have all been given different gifts, experiences, and resources. We may think our contribution certainly couldn't make a difference. But we'll never know the impact that could be made in this world unless we try - in ways that are as unique as each of us.